1. $5 million state grant supports construction of Discovery Learning Complex

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle last week announced major state funding to support construction of the Discovery Learning Complex at Marquette University’s College of Engineering.

The governor said a $5 million grant to the Wisconsin Energy Foundation for “the study of engineering to meet the needs of business and the state,” included in the state’s biennial budget, will go to Marquette for the shovel-ready first phase of the DLC — a 115,000-square-foot building. In thanking the governor for his support, Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., said the university expects to break ground on the five-story facility this spring; he noted that demolition of buildings on the site is already underway.

“We are fortunate to have universities like Marquette that offer an outstanding engineering education and are committed to preparing students for the challenges — and opportunities — of the 21st century,” Doyle said. “This project will help retain hundreds of jobs in Wisconsin, and prepare future generations to be leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

OPUS Dean of Engineering Stan Jaskolski said the Discovery Learning Complex is so named because it will spur discovery and learning that can result from collaboration among students, faculty and industry and higher education partners across engineering disciplines. “Such collaboration is fostered by the multidisciplinary laboratories where tomorrow’s engineers will work with today’s experts on engineering innovations involving hands-on experience and product development,” he said. “Preparing engineers who can ‘hit the ground running’ after graduation because of such a progressive education is critically important to the long-term economic development goals of Wisconsin and our nation.”

2. Office of the President moving to Zilber Hall this week

The Office of the President will begin its move to Zilber Hall tomorrow, Jan. 5. Staff will monitor phone and e-mail messages during the move, resuming operations Wednesday, Jan. 6, in Zilber 441.

Current locations (and contact information) for employees and offices are listed in the online directory, which is updated with each Zilber move. The printed campus directory has been published and reflects all the moves into Zilber Hall.

The Office of the President is the final department relocating to Zilber Hall.

3. Margaret Wheatley to speak at women's leadership events

Dr. Margaret Wheatley, writer and management consultant, will facilitate the Marquette Women's Leadership Summit on Monday, Jan. 25, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Raynor Library Beaumier Conference Center. The free summit will focus on the call to women's leadership and how Marquette employees and students are called to contribute to the local community and the world. Register online by Friday, Jan. 22. For more information, contact Ellen Blonski, administrative assistant, at 8-4545. The program is held in celebration of Marquette's Centennial Celebration of Women, by the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality, along with the Office of Mission and Ministry, Office of the Provost and the Office of Student Development.

Wheatley will also speak at the Milwaukee Community Women's Leadership Conference, which is Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the AMU Monaghan Ballroom. The conference is free and open to the public. RSVP to Ellen Blonski, administrative assistant, at 8-4545. The conference is sponsored by the Faber Center and the Office of Mission and Ministry.

4. Seminar to address best teaching practices related to mission

The registration deadline for “Exploring the Vocation of the Teacher/Scholar at Marquette — Expertise from Within: Sharing best practices for teaching and research related to Marquette’s mission and Jesuit Catholic heritage” is Thursday, Jan. 7. The seminar itself is Jan. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This all-day event is open to all faculty and graduate students and is designed to enhance the faculty community of research and teaching at Marquette. Lunch is included.

RSVP to Teresa Kaczmarek, Manresa office associate, at 8-0263.

For more information contact Dr. Susan Mountin, director of Manresa for faculty.

The seminar is co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Office of Mission and Ministry, the Service Learning Program, and Manresa for Faculty.

5. Department of Performing Arts presents Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type

The Department of Performing Arts’ Annual Theatre for Young Audiences performance features Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type, based on Doreen Cronin’s award-winning children’s novel about farm animals and the values of compromise and teamwork.

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type runs Jan. 16 through Jan. 23 at Helfaer Theatre. Performances are:

• Saturday, Jan. 16, and Sunday, Jan. 17, at 2:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 23, at 2:30 p.m.

For more information about ticket prices and group rates, call the theatre box office at 8-7504.

6. Funeral service for professor emerita Asp is tomorrow

A funeral Mass for Dr. Carolyn Asp, professor emerita of English, will be celebrated tomorrow, Jan. 5, at 10 a.m. at Santa Maria Del La Paz Catholic Church, 11 College Dr., Santa Fe, N.M. She passed away Dec. 20.

Asp served as an instructor at Marquette from 1971 to 1973, assistant professor from 1973-1979 and associate professor from 1979 until her retirement in 2003.

Condolences can be sent to her sister:
Mary Louise Stead
306 Canterfiled Road
Annapolis, MD 21403

Please keep the Asp family in your prayers.

7. Rec Center and Rec Plex offering free trial membership

The Employee Wellness program and the Department of Recreational Sports will offer a one-week free trial membership at the Rec Center and Rec Plex from Monday, Jan. 11, to Monday, Jan. 18. Employees can just bring their MUID and sign in at either facility. For more information, contact John Sweeney, director of recreational sports, at 8-6976. Check hours of operation online.

The wellness and recreational sports programs are also offering additional “Be Fit This Winter” programming, including:

• A “How to Stay Fit in the Winter” seminar from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, in the Raynor Library Beaumier Suites.

• A Five-Week Be Fit Winter Challenge that offers prize drawings to employees who get 30 minutes of exercise five days per week.

8. D2L introductory training sessions scheduled

Desire2Learn Introductory Instructor Training will be held in Raynor 320H through the Center for Teaching and Learning:

• Jan. 12, 9 a.m. to noon
• Feb. 12, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• March 17, 9 a.m. to noon

The training is for faculty who wish to incorporate D2L into their teaching. It provides an overview of the D2L tool set and is especially helpful for new and adjunct faculty or for faculty who wish to use more technology in their instruction.

9. Libraries holding interim hours

Raynor Memorial Libraries will hold special hours of operation during January Interim, through Jan. 17:

• Weekdays — 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Sunday and Jan. 18 — closed

Regular hours and 24-hour access resume Tuesday, Jan. 19.

10. Law School to hold information session

The Law School will host an information session for prospective students Friday, Jan. 8, at 11:45 a.m. in Sensenbrenner 210. The session will provide information about admissions and financial aid, curriculum, intellectual and student life. A brief tour of the Law School will be led by a current law student. No registration is necessary.